Sundy Worship Service October 19, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 31:5 (NIV)
Hymn JBC #327 Lead on, O King eternal
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:51~60
Prayer
Sermon “Look up the Glory of God”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 21 Worthy of worship
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today's Scripture passage is the final section of the scene in Acts chapter 7 of the New Testament, where Stephen, a preacher of Christ, is accused before the Jewish Sanhedrin (high court) of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen is said to be the first Christian martyr—that is, the first person who believed in Christ, preached His teachings, and was persecuted and killed for it.
In today's passage, Stephen is martyred. Stoned by the people (the Jews), he died. We can say Stephen met a tragic end, suffering immense pain and agony.
In today's passage, let us hear God's message through the words Stephen spoke, the words he spoke just before his death, and his figure at that moment.
In the first verse of today's passage, verse 51, Stephen says to those accusing him (the members of the Sanhedrin), “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
He then continues, “You always resist the Holy Spirit!” The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, used here as the same meaning as God Himself.
What does it mean to be “stiff-necked, with uncircumcised hearts and ears”?
Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin, held profound significance for the Israelites.
Circumcision was commanded by God to Abraham, who is called the “father of faith” for the Israelite people.
In Genesis chapter 17 of the Old Testament, it is written that Abraham received the commandment (order) concerning circumcision from God.
At that time, Abraham received the promise from God: “You will become the father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you the father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:4-6)
This passage in Genesis depicts God establishing an eternal covenant with the people of Israel through Abraham.
At that time, God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male child (on the eighth day after birth) as a sign that the people of Israel were God's chosen, special people.
Circumcision was the visible sign that the Israelite nation was God's specially chosen people, and that the eternal covenant and blessings given through their forefather Abraham had been bestowed upon them.
But Stephen says: "You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
Stephen pointed out the essence of the faith of the members of the Sanhedrin (the priests and scribes).
Even though they diligently observed circumcision and other religious rituals and regulations in form, Stephen pointed out the state of their hearts.
Among the people of Israel, especially those in privileged positions like priests and scribes, there were likely those who took pride in being specially chosen simply because they were circumcised—that is, because they were Israelites (Jews).
They began to look down on other nations and Gentiles outside the Israelite people, or even fellow Israelites who, like them, could not strictly observe the religious rules.
However, circumcision and other religious rules must be accompanied by faith in God within the heart and by actually living according to God's teachings—faith in the heart.
The meaninglessness of circumcision performed merely as a formality had already been stated repeatedly, long before the New Testament era, during the Old Testament era (the time of the prophets).
In the Old Testament, Jeremiah 6:10, it is written as the word of God:
To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed (uncircumcised)
so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
Even if one appears to observe religious rules in name only, without opening one's heart and ears to the Lord God, without humbling oneself before Him, one cannot receive the Holy Spirit's guidance.
There are times when we do not know what God's will is, or how the Holy Spirit's guidance is given.
At such times, we may need to examine whether it is because of our own stubborn hearts, whether we ourselves have closed the ears of our hearts, preventing us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.
We are stubborn people. We are those who only want to hear what we want to hear, see what we want to see, and believe only what we want to believe.
In such times, we desire to be those who humbly listen to the voice addressed to us: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
And we desire to pray to God: that He would open our hearts, the eyes and ears of our hearts; that we would listen to His word, which is stern yet true; that we would recognize our own sin of turning away from God; and that He would turn us back to Himself.
Stephen tells the council members, “Just as your ancestors persecuted the prophets, you have killed the Saviour, (the Righteous One in verse 52).”
“You have a faith that is only skin deep, and in your hearts you always resist the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit. You have killed the true Savior.” Who could remain calm hearing such words?
The people who heard Stephen say this were filled with rage. It is written that they gnashed their teeth at him (verse 54). They were like wild beasts, ready to pounce on Stephen.
The anger of the people (the Jewish council members, the authorities) had reached its peak. How did Stephen respond to this?
Let us read verses 55-56.
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Stephen's example teaches us that even in the face of terrifying human anger, hostility, malice, and even murderous intent, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit.
And instead of responding to the hostility and anger directed at him with hostility and anger of his own, Stephen fixed his eyes on heaven.
Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus (Jesus Christ) standing at the right hand of God.
On this earth, people hurl malice at one another, hating and quarreling. Even when people and nations deeply wound one another, if we lift our eyes to heaven with the eyes of faith, we can see God's glory and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
There is Jesus, who was crucified for us, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and who intercedes for us.
Those accusing Stephen shouted loudly, covering their ears (refusing to hear Stephen's voice), and rushed at him, dragging him out of the city.
Verse 58 states that a young man named Saul was there, and the people laid their clothes at his feet.
Saul later became Paul. Paul initially persecuted Christians fiercely, but after encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ, he was transformed into a passionate preacher of Christ.
The fact that Saul, who would later do great work for Christ, was present at Stephen's martyrdom and witnessed it, can be said to have profoundly influenced Saul's subsequent life (faith).
It can be said that Stephen, even as he died, left an invaluable legacy of faith to many people, including Saul (Paul).
Let us listen to the two statements Stephen made just before his death, as recorded in today's passage, while being stoned by the people.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Stephen was convinced to the very end that there was One who would receive his soul. That One is the Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter how dire, miserable, or painful his circumstances became, Stephen was certain that Jesus would never abandon him, but would love and receive him.
That assurance of faith is given to us today as well. If we open our hearts and ears and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, He will receive our souls just as He received Stephen's soul.
And so Stephen was able to say at the end, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” He could pray this way for the very people who accused him, who continued to stone him, and who killed him.
These were also the words spoken by Jesus from the cross. When Jesus was flogged, nailed to the cross, and hung there, He said the following:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed to God the Father in heaven for us human beings, saying these words.
So why was Stephen, a mere human, able to pray like that? Why could Stephen pray at the very end, “Do not hold this sin against them”?
I believe it was because Stephen himself was certain that his sins had been forgiven through Jesus, and he was overflowing with gratitude for that.
The conviction that he had been forgiven of his sins through Christ, that he was therefore kept alive, and that he was deeply loved by God—this conviction enabled Stephen to pray for others in that way at the very end.
Such divine love, such power of forgiveness from Jesus, is also given to us.
Let us reflect on ourselves as believers living in the present, receiving the power of God's love and forgiveness conveyed to us through the life and words of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Sundy Worship Service October 12, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Leviticus 18:5
Hymn JBC # 268 There’s within my heart a melody
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:37~50
Prayer
Sermon “Receiving Living Words to Pass on”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 521 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
We continue reading the scene from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, where the evangelist Stephen is being interrogated before the Sanhedrin (the court) on charges of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen begins his discourse with Abraham, called the “father of faith” for the Jews, and proclaims how God chose the Israelite people and revealed His salvation through them.
In today's passage, Stephen continues his account concerning Moses, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
At the beginning of today's passage, Stephen quotes Moses as saying the following:
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’
Through Moses, God told the people of Israel He will raise up a prophet like Moses for them.
This is God's promise recorded in Deuteronomy 18 of the Old Testament.
The phrase “a prophet like me” here also refers to the other Old Testament prophets who followed Moses.
However, now that Jesus Christ has already come into the world as a human being, died on the cross for the redemption of human sin, and was resurrected, Stephen here asserts that the prophet spoken of by Moses is Jesus Christ.
Through the Scriptures, we can believe that God had been continually revealing—from before the creation of the heavens and the earth, and also through Abraham and Moses—that Jesus Christ would come and speak God's word, and that Jesus Christ would come into the world and redeem humanity's sins.
Stephen quoted Moses' words because he desperately wanted to convey to the Jews accusing him that Christ is the Prophet spoken of by Moses, and He is the Savior.
Verse 38 from today’s passage states the following:
38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
Here, “He” refers to Moses. Yet even here, through Moses, Jesus Christ who was to come and what Christ would do are prophesied.
That is, to receive the word of life and convey it to us. Prophets like Moses received God's word on behalf of the people and conveyed it to them.
In that sense, pastors today also have the role of prophets. But human prophets are not perfect. Human prophets make mistakes and sometimes speak incorrectly.
But Jesus Christ is the perfect prophet. He never erred; He was completely correct, conveying God's life-giving word to people. Jesus Christ Himself was the Word of life.
Word of life means the word that truly gives us life.
Words truly have power. Even words devised by humans can possess the power to greatly encourage or comfort people.
All the more so, God's word possesses such power that it can be called life itself. Thus, we live by God's word.
The most crucial aspect of Moses' work was receiving the words of life and conveying them to the people. Having received the words of life—that is, God's Word—from God, Moses conveyed them to the people of Israel.
The words of life, the words of the Bible, are passed on to others by those who receive them and believe.
The words of life that give us life are not something humans devised or created. Humans are incapable of such a thing. God's words of life are given to us as His gift.
And after this word of life was fully revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, it began to spread as it was passed from person to person.
Receiving and passing on the word of life—this is the mission of the church, those who believe in God, are forgiven of their sins by God, and are saved.
Let us be used as vessels for this purpose: to receive abundantly the life-giving word and pass it on to others
In verse 39, it is recorded that the ancestors (the Israelites in Moses' time) refused to obey Moses and said to Aaron, Moses' brother, as follows.
I will read verses 39-40.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!
This story is based on the account found in Exodus chapter 32 of the Old Testament.
There, Moses had ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments from God.
God commanded Moses to convey the commandments he had received to the people of Israel.
It is said Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights at that time. And the Israelites grew increasingly impatient as Moses did not come down.
Having lost patience, the people pleaded with Aaron, Moses' brother, saying, “We don't know what has happened to Moses. Make us gods to go before us.”
Aaron then responded to the Israelites by fashioning a golden calf, which they worshipped as their god.
To us, it seems utterly foolish that the Israelites, unable to wait for Moses to come down from the mountain, turned to worship something that was not God—something made by human hands—engaging in idolatry.
Yet, are there not times when we too struggle to wait patiently, seeking God's will?
We too may find ourselves unable to wait, or so eager to solve a problem quickly or break through a situation that we hastily make our own judgment and easily decide, “This must be God's will.”
We humans find it difficult to wait. There are times when we struggle to be still and pray, to listen humbly to God's word, His guidance, and the opinions and advice of others.
We must remember that we are fully capable of committing the same mistake the Israelites made—worshipping things made by human hands as if they were God.
I pray that we are able to cultivate our faith daily, that we are able to remain calm and humble as we listen attentively to God and others, so that we avoid repeating such mistakes.
Let’s read verse 44.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
The Tabernacle of Testimony, or simply the Tabernacle, was a portable tent sanctuary erected for the Israelites to worship in during their journey through the wilderness.
God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the priests to construct the “Tabernacle” so that the Israelites could worship and hear God's word even while moving through the wilderness. He thus provided them with a place for worship.
Eventually, the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan, and David became king over all Israel.
David desired to build a temple for God—not a tent-like tabernacle, but a temple with a solid foundation and base—a place for worship.
By God's command, it was David's son, King Solomon, who actually completed the temple.
The completed temple surely served as a spiritual and faith-based anchor for the people of Israel. For us today, too, the church is a place of profound spiritual importance.
The church is where we gather and worship together.
Still, let us look closely at what Stephen has to say in today’s passage.
Let’s read verses 48-50.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
The temple, or what we now call our church, becomes a special place when people moved by God gather there and offer worship in spirit and truth from their hearts.
Yet at the same time, we must always be careful not to become arrogant. Stephen warns us in today’s passage.
It is not we humans who build a dwelling place for God. That is something we could never do.
It is not we who create anything for God; rather, God prepares everything we need.
God creates everything necessary for us—physical space, the church, everything.
By God's permission, mercy, and grace, we are given a variety of things through which we can create even more.
However, we cannot create anything out of nothing, not a single thing.
Yet, if we are not careful, we can easily become proud of our own strength or even our faith as we boast that “We are doing all this for God.”
All good things are created and given by the God who created heaven and earth.
And that faith also gives us hope and peace, assuring us that God will surely provide us with all that is good and necessary, and that God sustains us with the word of life.
Let us live out our faith daily in humility and gratitude, remembering that every blessing, and the word of life that sustains us, is given to us from God
Prelude
Call to Worship Leviticus 18:5
Hymn JBC # 268 There’s within my heart a melody
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:37~50
Prayer
Sermon “Receiving Living Words to Pass on”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 521 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
We continue reading the scene from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, where the evangelist Stephen is being interrogated before the Sanhedrin (the court) on charges of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen begins his discourse with Abraham, called the “father of faith” for the Jews, and proclaims how God chose the Israelite people and revealed His salvation through them.
In today's passage, Stephen continues his account concerning Moses, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
At the beginning of today's passage, Stephen quotes Moses as saying the following:
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’
Through Moses, God told the people of Israel He will raise up a prophet like Moses for them.
This is God's promise recorded in Deuteronomy 18 of the Old Testament.
The phrase “a prophet like me” here also refers to the other Old Testament prophets who followed Moses.
However, now that Jesus Christ has already come into the world as a human being, died on the cross for the redemption of human sin, and was resurrected, Stephen here asserts that the prophet spoken of by Moses is Jesus Christ.
Through the Scriptures, we can believe that God had been continually revealing—from before the creation of the heavens and the earth, and also through Abraham and Moses—that Jesus Christ would come and speak God's word, and that Jesus Christ would come into the world and redeem humanity's sins.
Stephen quoted Moses' words because he desperately wanted to convey to the Jews accusing him that Christ is the Prophet spoken of by Moses, and He is the Savior.
Verse 38 from today’s passage states the following:
38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
Here, “He” refers to Moses. Yet even here, through Moses, Jesus Christ who was to come and what Christ would do are prophesied.
That is, to receive the word of life and convey it to us. Prophets like Moses received God's word on behalf of the people and conveyed it to them.
In that sense, pastors today also have the role of prophets. But human prophets are not perfect. Human prophets make mistakes and sometimes speak incorrectly.
But Jesus Christ is the perfect prophet. He never erred; He was completely correct, conveying God's life-giving word to people. Jesus Christ Himself was the Word of life.
Word of life means the word that truly gives us life.
Words truly have power. Even words devised by humans can possess the power to greatly encourage or comfort people.
All the more so, God's word possesses such power that it can be called life itself. Thus, we live by God's word.
The most crucial aspect of Moses' work was receiving the words of life and conveying them to the people. Having received the words of life—that is, God's Word—from God, Moses conveyed them to the people of Israel.
The words of life, the words of the Bible, are passed on to others by those who receive them and believe.
The words of life that give us life are not something humans devised or created. Humans are incapable of such a thing. God's words of life are given to us as His gift.
And after this word of life was fully revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, it began to spread as it was passed from person to person.
Receiving and passing on the word of life—this is the mission of the church, those who believe in God, are forgiven of their sins by God, and are saved.
Let us be used as vessels for this purpose: to receive abundantly the life-giving word and pass it on to others
In verse 39, it is recorded that the ancestors (the Israelites in Moses' time) refused to obey Moses and said to Aaron, Moses' brother, as follows.
I will read verses 39-40.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!
This story is based on the account found in Exodus chapter 32 of the Old Testament.
There, Moses had ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments from God.
God commanded Moses to convey the commandments he had received to the people of Israel.
It is said Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights at that time. And the Israelites grew increasingly impatient as Moses did not come down.
Having lost patience, the people pleaded with Aaron, Moses' brother, saying, “We don't know what has happened to Moses. Make us gods to go before us.”
Aaron then responded to the Israelites by fashioning a golden calf, which they worshipped as their god.
To us, it seems utterly foolish that the Israelites, unable to wait for Moses to come down from the mountain, turned to worship something that was not God—something made by human hands—engaging in idolatry.
Yet, are there not times when we too struggle to wait patiently, seeking God's will?
We too may find ourselves unable to wait, or so eager to solve a problem quickly or break through a situation that we hastily make our own judgment and easily decide, “This must be God's will.”
We humans find it difficult to wait. There are times when we struggle to be still and pray, to listen humbly to God's word, His guidance, and the opinions and advice of others.
We must remember that we are fully capable of committing the same mistake the Israelites made—worshipping things made by human hands as if they were God.
I pray that we are able to cultivate our faith daily, that we are able to remain calm and humble as we listen attentively to God and others, so that we avoid repeating such mistakes.
Let’s read verse 44.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
The Tabernacle of Testimony, or simply the Tabernacle, was a portable tent sanctuary erected for the Israelites to worship in during their journey through the wilderness.
God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the priests to construct the “Tabernacle” so that the Israelites could worship and hear God's word even while moving through the wilderness. He thus provided them with a place for worship.
Eventually, the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan, and David became king over all Israel.
David desired to build a temple for God—not a tent-like tabernacle, but a temple with a solid foundation and base—a place for worship.
By God's command, it was David's son, King Solomon, who actually completed the temple.
The completed temple surely served as a spiritual and faith-based anchor for the people of Israel. For us today, too, the church is a place of profound spiritual importance.
The church is where we gather and worship together.
Still, let us look closely at what Stephen has to say in today’s passage.
Let’s read verses 48-50.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
The temple, or what we now call our church, becomes a special place when people moved by God gather there and offer worship in spirit and truth from their hearts.
Yet at the same time, we must always be careful not to become arrogant. Stephen warns us in today’s passage.
It is not we humans who build a dwelling place for God. That is something we could never do.
It is not we who create anything for God; rather, God prepares everything we need.
God creates everything necessary for us—physical space, the church, everything.
By God's permission, mercy, and grace, we are given a variety of things through which we can create even more.
However, we cannot create anything out of nothing, not a single thing.
Yet, if we are not careful, we can easily become proud of our own strength or even our faith as we boast that “We are doing all this for God.”
All good things are created and given by the God who created heaven and earth.
And that faith also gives us hope and peace, assuring us that God will surely provide us with all that is good and necessary, and that God sustains us with the word of life.
Let us live out our faith daily in humility and gratitude, remembering that every blessing, and the word of life that sustains us, is given to us from God
Saturday, October 4, 2025
October 5, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 32:8
Hymn JBC # 320 Shine and Live
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 1467 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:17~36
Prayer
Sermon “I will send you to Egypt”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 544 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
In today’s scripture passage, taken from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, we hear the words of the Christian evangelist Stephen as he preaches.
What Stephen is talking about here is the story of the figure (person) Moses, the story of Moses’ life.
Moses appears in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and is a very important figure in the story of the Israelites faith.
The Bible has two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and together both the Old and New Testament form the Bible.
The Old Testament starts from Genesis, which tells the story of God’s creation of the universe. It goes on to share the history of God choosing the people of Israel and revealing Himself to them.
The Old Testament contains the words of many prophets, and through their words, we come to understand the kinds of words and commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
Jesus Christ does not appear directly in the Old Testament, since the time of the Old Testament was well before the time when Christ was born as a man.
Since Christianity believes in Jesus Christ as God, the focus of our faith is on reading the New Testament, where the writing centers on Christ’s life and words.
However, the Old Testament, which does not directly record about Christ, is also important to us as Christians as the word of God.
This is because the Old Testament, through the events of creation and choosing the people of Israel, tells of the plan for God sending the savior Christ into the world and His preparations towards that plan.
In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4, it is written:
4 For he chose us in him (*Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
From this verse, we understand that a common thread that runs through everything, even through the Old Testament, is God choosing us through Christ, loving us, and trying to make us holy in his sight.
Stephen was at the Sanhedrin being questioned, accused of “blaspheming against God”
For Stephen to be at that place and speaking of the Bible, sharing the plan of the true God and God’s truth with these people who were denouncing him, means he had a strong desire to do so.
This is because it is through the words of the Bible itself that God’s word is spoken with the greatest power and the greatest power to capture people’s hearts.
Amongst Stephen’s speech in today’s passage, the life of the figure of Moses and how God used him is condensed into a very short story.
Moses lived to 120 years old, and was the leader of the Israelites. That kind of life cannot be fully explained in such few words and detail.
However, even from such a shortened version, we learn how Moses was chosen by God and the kinds of works God had him carry out.
Rather than learning about Moses himself, instead we learn about the kinds of things God did through Moses
When Moses was born, the number of Israelites (they were also called the Hebrews) in Egypt was growing.
And the king of Egypt saw this as a threat.
In Exodus chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, it says:
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
Joseph was an Israelite who, with God’s support, did great works in Egypt, however the new king did not know of this, nor did he know the mighty works of the God that had been revealed through Jospeh.
For that king, the ever-increasing number of Israelites could only be seen as something to be feared.
This king who feared the growing numbers of the Israelites ordered midwives to kill any boys that were born to the Israelites.
Even in later times when Jesus was born, the New Testament records how when King Herod heard the news that the new King of the Jews had been born, he grew angry and ordered the deaths of all infant boys.
In this way the Bible (through the Old and New Testaments) show us just how cruel humans can be depending on the circumstances.
The Bible also shows us how the sinful nature of humanity has not changed at all over the ages.
As humans, we cannot overcome that sin or rid ourselves of sin by ourselves.
The only way we can be freed from sin is to be forgiven by the one who is above all others, that is our Lord and Creator God.
Jesus Christ came into this world as a man and died on the cross for us, so that we could be forgiven of the serious and deep-rooted sins we bear.
Because of this one fact, because Christ saved us from our sins through the cross, even amidst the harshness and sadness of reality and even with our sinful natures, we are able to live with hope.
No matter how times change and no matter how society changes, let us rejoice and give thanks for the unchanging love of God and his forgiveness of our sins, given to us through Christ.
In verse 22 of today’s passage, it says “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action”.
But actually, when God called Moses to become the leader of the Israelites, he refused God’s call many times, saying “I am not a good speaker. No one will listen to me.”
“But from God’s perspective, through Moses’ education in Egypt, he had already been given all the gifts he needed to share the Word of God, gifts in speaking and to carry out wondrous deeds.
Through a twist of fate (God’s provision), Moses came to be raised in the household of the Egyptian royal family. There, he gained all the skills he would need to later become the great leader of the Israelites.
Like God provided Moses with all the education (through Egypt) that he would need to become a leader, even now God is also providing us in many different ways with good gifts, gifts that we may not even realize ourselves, and an abundance of talents.
Sometimes, these things are given to us through experiences that are unpleasant, difficult and painful for us.
And so, even in the midst of painful and challenging times, let us have faith and ask ourselves “What is God trying to teach me through this situation, what is God trying to give me?”
From verse 23 onwards, the passage talks about how Moses made up his mind to help his fellow Israelites.
Moses witnesses an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian. Moses then strikes down the Egyptian and kills him. In Chapter 2 of Exodus, it says:
25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.
Moses thought that his brothers (his fellow Israelites) they would understand that God was trying to save them through him.
At that time Moses was still acting on his own sense of justice, still an immature person acting high-handedly and impulsively based on what he believed to be right.
He was not yet mature enough to be seen as a leader by those around him. After this, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he spent the next 40 years.
It could be said that these 40 years in Midian was time spent preparing Moses for the role he would later fulfill as leader of the Israelites.
The gospels tell us that when Jesus had lived approximately 30 years as a man, he began his official ministry.
I think it is fair to say that even Jesus spent that time building up life and experience, preparing himself to begin his ministry work.
And when Jesus began his official ministry, at the beginning he spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. (Matthew 4, Luke 4)
It is not as though if we grow in our faith and prepare fully before we start then we will never have any troubles or suffering.
On the contrary, it could be said that the life of a believer is one of constant struggles.
However, suffering for the faith is a process where, through trials, we come to know our own weakness, recognize and face our sins, and to grow in faith knowing that God will be with us and we can find the strength in God to keep going.
So, if there is anyone here who is going through a trial at the moment, I sincerely hope that you will have faith that God’s provision and God’s presence will be with you, that you will trust and walk with Jesus, and that we would be able to support and pray for one another.
God called on Moses who had spent 40 years living in the land of Midian, sending him to Egypt.
Moses was called to use the path he had taken and everything he had experienced, and was sent by God to Egypt to save the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt.
Unlike once before when Moses self-righteously thought his fellow Israelites should understand that he was trying to save them, this time God clearly stated his calling to Moses.
We see this God’s words in verse 34 of today’s passage.
34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
In today’s passage, while Stephen was telling the story of Moses, I am sure he would have felt that the Lord God who was with Moses, who gave Moses his calling, was also with Stephen himself.
And Stephen must also have felt a strong desire to somehow convey to his fellow Jews about the God’s grace had been fully revealed through Jesus Christ.
Let us believe ever more deeply in the works and love of God as expressed through Stephen’s sermon (or message), be strengthened by God, and continue walking each day in faith.
Let the steps we take each day, the path we are meant to walk from here on, be guided by the words of the Bible and by the Holy Spirit.
And shall we not also walk in the direction where God says to us “I am sending you”?
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 32:8
Hymn JBC # 320 Shine and Live
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 1467 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:17~36
Prayer
Sermon “I will send you to Egypt”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 544 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
In today’s scripture passage, taken from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, we hear the words of the Christian evangelist Stephen as he preaches.
What Stephen is talking about here is the story of the figure (person) Moses, the story of Moses’ life.
Moses appears in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and is a very important figure in the story of the Israelites faith.
The Bible has two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and together both the Old and New Testament form the Bible.
The Old Testament starts from Genesis, which tells the story of God’s creation of the universe. It goes on to share the history of God choosing the people of Israel and revealing Himself to them.
The Old Testament contains the words of many prophets, and through their words, we come to understand the kinds of words and commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
Jesus Christ does not appear directly in the Old Testament, since the time of the Old Testament was well before the time when Christ was born as a man.
Since Christianity believes in Jesus Christ as God, the focus of our faith is on reading the New Testament, where the writing centers on Christ’s life and words.
However, the Old Testament, which does not directly record about Christ, is also important to us as Christians as the word of God.
This is because the Old Testament, through the events of creation and choosing the people of Israel, tells of the plan for God sending the savior Christ into the world and His preparations towards that plan.
In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4, it is written:
4 For he chose us in him (*Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
From this verse, we understand that a common thread that runs through everything, even through the Old Testament, is God choosing us through Christ, loving us, and trying to make us holy in his sight.
Stephen was at the Sanhedrin being questioned, accused of “blaspheming against God”
For Stephen to be at that place and speaking of the Bible, sharing the plan of the true God and God’s truth with these people who were denouncing him, means he had a strong desire to do so.
This is because it is through the words of the Bible itself that God’s word is spoken with the greatest power and the greatest power to capture people’s hearts.
Amongst Stephen’s speech in today’s passage, the life of the figure of Moses and how God used him is condensed into a very short story.
Moses lived to 120 years old, and was the leader of the Israelites. That kind of life cannot be fully explained in such few words and detail.
However, even from such a shortened version, we learn how Moses was chosen by God and the kinds of works God had him carry out.
Rather than learning about Moses himself, instead we learn about the kinds of things God did through Moses
When Moses was born, the number of Israelites (they were also called the Hebrews) in Egypt was growing.
And the king of Egypt saw this as a threat.
In Exodus chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, it says:
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
Joseph was an Israelite who, with God’s support, did great works in Egypt, however the new king did not know of this, nor did he know the mighty works of the God that had been revealed through Jospeh.
For that king, the ever-increasing number of Israelites could only be seen as something to be feared.
This king who feared the growing numbers of the Israelites ordered midwives to kill any boys that were born to the Israelites.
Even in later times when Jesus was born, the New Testament records how when King Herod heard the news that the new King of the Jews had been born, he grew angry and ordered the deaths of all infant boys.
In this way the Bible (through the Old and New Testaments) show us just how cruel humans can be depending on the circumstances.
The Bible also shows us how the sinful nature of humanity has not changed at all over the ages.
As humans, we cannot overcome that sin or rid ourselves of sin by ourselves.
The only way we can be freed from sin is to be forgiven by the one who is above all others, that is our Lord and Creator God.
Jesus Christ came into this world as a man and died on the cross for us, so that we could be forgiven of the serious and deep-rooted sins we bear.
Because of this one fact, because Christ saved us from our sins through the cross, even amidst the harshness and sadness of reality and even with our sinful natures, we are able to live with hope.
No matter how times change and no matter how society changes, let us rejoice and give thanks for the unchanging love of God and his forgiveness of our sins, given to us through Christ.
In verse 22 of today’s passage, it says “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action”.
But actually, when God called Moses to become the leader of the Israelites, he refused God’s call many times, saying “I am not a good speaker. No one will listen to me.”
“But from God’s perspective, through Moses’ education in Egypt, he had already been given all the gifts he needed to share the Word of God, gifts in speaking and to carry out wondrous deeds.
Through a twist of fate (God’s provision), Moses came to be raised in the household of the Egyptian royal family. There, he gained all the skills he would need to later become the great leader of the Israelites.
Like God provided Moses with all the education (through Egypt) that he would need to become a leader, even now God is also providing us in many different ways with good gifts, gifts that we may not even realize ourselves, and an abundance of talents.
Sometimes, these things are given to us through experiences that are unpleasant, difficult and painful for us.
And so, even in the midst of painful and challenging times, let us have faith and ask ourselves “What is God trying to teach me through this situation, what is God trying to give me?”
From verse 23 onwards, the passage talks about how Moses made up his mind to help his fellow Israelites.
Moses witnesses an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian. Moses then strikes down the Egyptian and kills him. In Chapter 2 of Exodus, it says:
25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.
Moses thought that his brothers (his fellow Israelites) they would understand that God was trying to save them through him.
At that time Moses was still acting on his own sense of justice, still an immature person acting high-handedly and impulsively based on what he believed to be right.
He was not yet mature enough to be seen as a leader by those around him. After this, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he spent the next 40 years.
It could be said that these 40 years in Midian was time spent preparing Moses for the role he would later fulfill as leader of the Israelites.
The gospels tell us that when Jesus had lived approximately 30 years as a man, he began his official ministry.
I think it is fair to say that even Jesus spent that time building up life and experience, preparing himself to begin his ministry work.
And when Jesus began his official ministry, at the beginning he spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. (Matthew 4, Luke 4)
It is not as though if we grow in our faith and prepare fully before we start then we will never have any troubles or suffering.
On the contrary, it could be said that the life of a believer is one of constant struggles.
However, suffering for the faith is a process where, through trials, we come to know our own weakness, recognize and face our sins, and to grow in faith knowing that God will be with us and we can find the strength in God to keep going.
So, if there is anyone here who is going through a trial at the moment, I sincerely hope that you will have faith that God’s provision and God’s presence will be with you, that you will trust and walk with Jesus, and that we would be able to support and pray for one another.
God called on Moses who had spent 40 years living in the land of Midian, sending him to Egypt.
Moses was called to use the path he had taken and everything he had experienced, and was sent by God to Egypt to save the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt.
Unlike once before when Moses self-righteously thought his fellow Israelites should understand that he was trying to save them, this time God clearly stated his calling to Moses.
We see this God’s words in verse 34 of today’s passage.
34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
In today’s passage, while Stephen was telling the story of Moses, I am sure he would have felt that the Lord God who was with Moses, who gave Moses his calling, was also with Stephen himself.
And Stephen must also have felt a strong desire to somehow convey to his fellow Jews about the God’s grace had been fully revealed through Jesus Christ.
Let us believe ever more deeply in the works and love of God as expressed through Stephen’s sermon (or message), be strengthened by God, and continue walking each day in faith.
Let the steps we take each day, the path we are meant to walk from here on, be guided by the words of the Bible and by the Holy Spirit.
And shall we not also walk in the direction where God says to us “I am sending you”?
Saturday, September 27, 2025
September 28, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 105:7
Hymn JBC # 507 He leadeth me! O blessed tho’t!
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:1~16
Prayer
Sermon “Our Father Abraham”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Ancient people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that other stars and objects in space revolved around us. This is known as the geocentric theory.
Thanks to the results of scientific research and discoveries, we no longer believe the geocentric theory. Instead, we believe the heliocentric theory (the idea that the earth revolves around the sun) to be true.
However, I believe our way of life still reflects belief in geocentric theory (that the world revolves around us) or that we believe it should be that way.
We normally view things that happen to ourselves from our own perspective. In other words, we judge our surroundings using ourselves as a standard based on what we desire (or what we believe to be right).
However, if we know (acknowledge) that we are not the center of the universe, I think the way we view what happens in the world around us, the people around us, and how we interact with people will change greatly.
If we are not the center of the universe or the things, then what is?
The Bible teaches that this world was created with a particular goal by the One.
If that is the case, then it is natural to think that God, the Creator of the world, is the center of the universe.
The Bible teaches that God, the Creator of the universe, was born as a man and came to this world. Jesus Christ is the man who God came as.
Since we had sinned and become separated from God (God’s purpose), Jesus Christ came to show us who God is (and what His purpose is).
Christ came to this world so that through Him we can know how deep God’s love is. To know God’s love is one of the major purposes of our life.
The Bible teaches us that the world is actually centered around God, and invites us to accept that God became man as Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is God and God is love.
When we learn to see the circumstances around us and the world not from our own perspective, but with God at the center, a change occurs.
This is that, no matter what type of situation, even if it is disadvantageous or dangerous, it can be used for a better (God’s) purpose.
Today’s Bible passage is in the beginning of Acts Chapter 7. Stephen is being tried by the Jewish high officials for believing in and evangelizing about Christ.
From today's passage, we are made to know the figure of a man who live in God's hope, even in situations that are critical and disadvantageous for them, and even when surrounded by many enemies.
Let’s listen to the words of God spoken through Stephen in today’s Bible passage.
The high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. The Jews had charged Stephen with blaspheming God.
The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheming God, the great prophet Moses, and God’s holy place (the temple) and law (the words of Scripture).
However, these were false testimonies (lies). They were baseless accusations. The Jews merely hated Stephen, and so brought false charges against him in order to make him be found guilty.
To Stephen this was a dangerous situation. If he did not prove his innocence, his life was in danger.
However, when Stephen was asked if the charges against him were true, how did he respond? Stephen did not even to attempt to defend himself in the slightest.
Stephen merely thought of this dangerous situation as a perfect opportunity to share about God.
Stephen must have had conviction that God was with him. Therefore, (even more than his own desires) Stephen wanted to speak what God wanted him to speak.
To the high priest and others who brought charges against him, Stephen called out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!”
Rather than seeing those who brought charges against him as enemies, Stephen called them his brothers and fathers.
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I wonder we would assume if such a thing is even possible (surely it is impossible).
However, we can see a believer who truly lived out Jesus’ words in Stephen in today’s passage.
Stephen was able to call the very people who were after his own life, through faith in Jesus Christ, his brothers and fathers.
Stephen’s words and actions show that, through faith, other people, and even enemies can become family in God.
If you are suddenly told to love your enemies, you might be taken aback. However, it is well that we believe that believers who have actually lived these words out truly existed, and even now they exist.
I also believe that there are at least efforts we can make even now to become just a little more like these people.
Stephen begins by sharing about God’s story in Scripture, describing how God has continually chosen and saved Israel by talking about Abraham’s story in the Old Testament in ‘Genesis’.
The Lord’s first words (command) to Abraham, who was known as the father of the faith to the Jews, was to “leave his homeland and family and go to the place that He commanded”.
In Genesis 12, it is written that God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him as such.
The Lord had said to Abraham, “Go from your familiar country, your familiar people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
Life is certainly like going on a journey without being able to see what is ahead. There are times where you have to leave the places and family that you are accustomed to.
However, even if we do not know what will happen from now on or where we are headed, God who guides us is with us.
That is the promise God gave Abraham, as well as to those of us who believe in the same God.
As we read (or hear) the words of the Bible, pray, and open our hearts to God in faith, let us trust that God is with us and will show us where we need to go.
Verse 9 speaks about Abraham’s grandson, Joseph.
Many chapters in Genesis are about Joseph’s story.
Joseph was doted on (loved too much) by his father, Jacob, and because of this was shunned by his brothers (Joseph also did things himself that caused him to be shunned by his brothers). In verse 9, “the patriarchs” refers to Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Through this action of selling their brother into slavery, it is clear to see how much Joseph’s brothers hated him.
However, God never left Joseph, and he came to be used by the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, eventually rising to be the minister of all of the kingdom of Egypt.
Joseph’s story is clearly detailed in ‘Genesis’, so I encourage all of you to read it.
Joseph’s immaturity and arrogance in personality and action also played part in making his brothers jealous of him.
However, just as written in verse 9, God never left Joseph.
In the same way the God of the Bible, the Creator of heaven and Earth is a God who will never leave us or abandon us. Jesus Christ, our God, is God who is with us.
Because God is with us, even if we are in suffering, difficulties, or worry, we can live in peace.
The God who is with us is greater than any suffering, difficulty, or worry, so we can trust in Him, God who created the world and us with his purpose and we can be at peace.
Joseph is eventually reunited with his father Jacob and his brothers. His father, brothers and other family all come to live in Egypt from Canaan.
However, when his father Jacob dies, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. They were afraid that Joseph was still upset that they had sold him to slavery and was planning to get revenge on them.
However, this is what Joseph said to his fearful brothers.
Genesis 50:19～20
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
If he were only thinking about himself, Joseph was in a place where he could take revenge on his brothers, and would even be justified in doing so.
However, more than thinking of himself, Joseph was able to see that what happened between him and his brothers, in God’s great plan, was for good, and even the evil things that people do can be changed for good.
Joseph realized that his brothers selling him into slavery, as well as his own actions that played part in causing that, were all used by God so that many people’s lives would be saved.
Joseph became able to see his own life, his brothers, and the world through God’s perspective, rather than his own self-centered one.
Jesus Christ came to the world to tell people about how God saves man (the gospel). However, people crucified Christ and killed him out of jealousy and resentment.
However, God can change even that human evil into something good. Christ’s cross saved us from our sin.
Stephen spoke of how God’s plan for salvation for man had begun long before they were born, tracing it back even to the time of Abraham, the father of their faith.
Even now we are in that plan of salvation.
There are times where we experience very painful and difficult things.
However, no matter what happens, the God of salvation is with us, and we can trust that He will continue to save us.
Even if you cannot believe it clearly now, times will surely come when you look back on those times through Jesus Christ, you will see that God is with us and is protecting us.
Let us give thanks and trust in God who gives us this protection and grace.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 105:7
Hymn JBC # 507 He leadeth me! O blessed tho’t!
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:1~16
Prayer
Sermon “Our Father Abraham”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Ancient people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that other stars and objects in space revolved around us. This is known as the geocentric theory.
Thanks to the results of scientific research and discoveries, we no longer believe the geocentric theory. Instead, we believe the heliocentric theory (the idea that the earth revolves around the sun) to be true.
However, I believe our way of life still reflects belief in geocentric theory (that the world revolves around us) or that we believe it should be that way.
We normally view things that happen to ourselves from our own perspective. In other words, we judge our surroundings using ourselves as a standard based on what we desire (or what we believe to be right).
However, if we know (acknowledge) that we are not the center of the universe, I think the way we view what happens in the world around us, the people around us, and how we interact with people will change greatly.
If we are not the center of the universe or the things, then what is?
The Bible teaches that this world was created with a particular goal by the One.
If that is the case, then it is natural to think that God, the Creator of the world, is the center of the universe.
The Bible teaches that God, the Creator of the universe, was born as a man and came to this world. Jesus Christ is the man who God came as.
Since we had sinned and become separated from God (God’s purpose), Jesus Christ came to show us who God is (and what His purpose is).
Christ came to this world so that through Him we can know how deep God’s love is. To know God’s love is one of the major purposes of our life.
The Bible teaches us that the world is actually centered around God, and invites us to accept that God became man as Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is God and God is love.
When we learn to see the circumstances around us and the world not from our own perspective, but with God at the center, a change occurs.
This is that, no matter what type of situation, even if it is disadvantageous or dangerous, it can be used for a better (God’s) purpose.
Today’s Bible passage is in the beginning of Acts Chapter 7. Stephen is being tried by the Jewish high officials for believing in and evangelizing about Christ.
From today's passage, we are made to know the figure of a man who live in God's hope, even in situations that are critical and disadvantageous for them, and even when surrounded by many enemies.
Let’s listen to the words of God spoken through Stephen in today’s Bible passage.
The high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. The Jews had charged Stephen with blaspheming God.
The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheming God, the great prophet Moses, and God’s holy place (the temple) and law (the words of Scripture).
However, these were false testimonies (lies). They were baseless accusations. The Jews merely hated Stephen, and so brought false charges against him in order to make him be found guilty.
To Stephen this was a dangerous situation. If he did not prove his innocence, his life was in danger.
However, when Stephen was asked if the charges against him were true, how did he respond? Stephen did not even to attempt to defend himself in the slightest.
Stephen merely thought of this dangerous situation as a perfect opportunity to share about God.
Stephen must have had conviction that God was with him. Therefore, (even more than his own desires) Stephen wanted to speak what God wanted him to speak.
To the high priest and others who brought charges against him, Stephen called out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!”
Rather than seeing those who brought charges against him as enemies, Stephen called them his brothers and fathers.
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I wonder we would assume if such a thing is even possible (surely it is impossible).
However, we can see a believer who truly lived out Jesus’ words in Stephen in today’s passage.
Stephen was able to call the very people who were after his own life, through faith in Jesus Christ, his brothers and fathers.
Stephen’s words and actions show that, through faith, other people, and even enemies can become family in God.
If you are suddenly told to love your enemies, you might be taken aback. However, it is well that we believe that believers who have actually lived these words out truly existed, and even now they exist.
I also believe that there are at least efforts we can make even now to become just a little more like these people.
Stephen begins by sharing about God’s story in Scripture, describing how God has continually chosen and saved Israel by talking about Abraham’s story in the Old Testament in ‘Genesis’.
The Lord’s first words (command) to Abraham, who was known as the father of the faith to the Jews, was to “leave his homeland and family and go to the place that He commanded”.
In Genesis 12, it is written that God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him as such.
The Lord had said to Abraham, “Go from your familiar country, your familiar people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
Life is certainly like going on a journey without being able to see what is ahead. There are times where you have to leave the places and family that you are accustomed to.
However, even if we do not know what will happen from now on or where we are headed, God who guides us is with us.
That is the promise God gave Abraham, as well as to those of us who believe in the same God.
As we read (or hear) the words of the Bible, pray, and open our hearts to God in faith, let us trust that God is with us and will show us where we need to go.
Verse 9 speaks about Abraham’s grandson, Joseph.
Many chapters in Genesis are about Joseph’s story.
Joseph was doted on (loved too much) by his father, Jacob, and because of this was shunned by his brothers (Joseph also did things himself that caused him to be shunned by his brothers). In verse 9, “the patriarchs” refers to Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Through this action of selling their brother into slavery, it is clear to see how much Joseph’s brothers hated him.
However, God never left Joseph, and he came to be used by the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, eventually rising to be the minister of all of the kingdom of Egypt.
Joseph’s story is clearly detailed in ‘Genesis’, so I encourage all of you to read it.
Joseph’s immaturity and arrogance in personality and action also played part in making his brothers jealous of him.
However, just as written in verse 9, God never left Joseph.
In the same way the God of the Bible, the Creator of heaven and Earth is a God who will never leave us or abandon us. Jesus Christ, our God, is God who is with us.
Because God is with us, even if we are in suffering, difficulties, or worry, we can live in peace.
The God who is with us is greater than any suffering, difficulty, or worry, so we can trust in Him, God who created the world and us with his purpose and we can be at peace.
Joseph is eventually reunited with his father Jacob and his brothers. His father, brothers and other family all come to live in Egypt from Canaan.
However, when his father Jacob dies, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. They were afraid that Joseph was still upset that they had sold him to slavery and was planning to get revenge on them.
However, this is what Joseph said to his fearful brothers.
Genesis 50:19～20
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
If he were only thinking about himself, Joseph was in a place where he could take revenge on his brothers, and would even be justified in doing so.
However, more than thinking of himself, Joseph was able to see that what happened between him and his brothers, in God’s great plan, was for good, and even the evil things that people do can be changed for good.
Joseph realized that his brothers selling him into slavery, as well as his own actions that played part in causing that, were all used by God so that many people’s lives would be saved.
Joseph became able to see his own life, his brothers, and the world through God’s perspective, rather than his own self-centered one.
Jesus Christ came to the world to tell people about how God saves man (the gospel). However, people crucified Christ and killed him out of jealousy and resentment.
However, God can change even that human evil into something good. Christ’s cross saved us from our sin.
Stephen spoke of how God’s plan for salvation for man had begun long before they were born, tracing it back even to the time of Abraham, the father of their faith.
Even now we are in that plan of salvation.
There are times where we experience very painful and difficult things.
However, no matter what happens, the God of salvation is with us, and we can trust that He will continue to save us.
Even if you cannot believe it clearly now, times will surely come when you look back on those times through Jesus Christ, you will see that God is with us and is protecting us.
Let us give thanks and trust in God who gives us this protection and grace.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
September 21, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Kings 10:8
Hymn JBC # 2 Come, Thou almighty King
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Confession of Faith
Scripture Acts 6:8~15
Prayer
Sermon “The wisdom the Spirit gave”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
At the beginning of today’s passage (verse 8), it says: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
In the verses just before today’s passage, seven men, including Stephen, were chosen from among the disciples of Christ for the task of “distribution of food.”
The apostles (who were leaders among the believers) laid hands on the seven and prayed for them.
That prayer was for God’s grace and power to be poured upon them (the seven men), and for God’s guidance in their work.
That prayer was answered. Stephen, filled with God’s grace and power, came to perform works and signs to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stephen was one of those chosen for the task of food distribution.
Yet, in today’s passage, Stephen is portrayed not just in that service role, but as a preacher and evangelist, like the apostles, proclaiming the gospel.
Although he was chosen for the task of distributing food, his gifts and calling were not limited to that work.
Perhaps, while faithfully serving in food distribution, his other gift—proclaiming the Word—was gradually drawn out and put to use.
In any case, the work of evangelism, preaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, was not limited only to leaders such as the apostles.
I believe that in the early church, each disciple was able to speak the Word according to his or her gift.
Last week, a member of our church (who is not the pastor) preached at the worship service.
In our church, we sometimes ask believers who have been trusted and commissioned by the church, even if they are not pastors, to give a message during worship services.
As Christians, whether we are full-time evangelists or not, each of us can preach God's word according to our individual gifts.
And so, we hope to be a church where the various gifts given to each individual can be brought to life and put to good use under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But in today’s passage, there were people who opposed Stephen’s ministry.
They were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria (cities in North Africa) belonging to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Jews once enslaved by Rome but later freed), and others from Cilicia and Asia (today’s Turkey region).
Although Jews, they were originally from outside Israel—likely the “Greek-speaking Jews” mentioned previous passages.
Since they adhered strictly to Jewish teachings and customs, they argued against Stephen’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But verse 10 says, “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”
Those who opposed Stephen probably tried to defeat him by reason and argument.
But words spoken with God’s wisdom and Spirit are stronger than any reasoning or debate—because God’s Word is truth.
Why is it that the words of Jesus in Scripture, and the Bible as a whole, move and touch our hearts so deeply?
Because the words of Scripture were written by people inspired by the Spirit of God, with His wisdom and Spirit—they are God’s true Word.
Not the result of human reasoning or debate, but God’s Word given through wisdom and Spirit—this Word has the power to stir and move our hearts.
It is on this true Word of Scripture that we must build our personal faith, and the faith of our church.
Those who opposed Stephen stirred up others, even the elders and teachers of the law, to seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council).
When we imagine that scene where people were agitated, we are reminded how easily people can be incited, how quickly our emotions and hearts can be manipulated.
We too are fully capable of becoming like those who were incited in today's passage and even persuaded to give false testimony.
This is because we are weak and sinful. We sometimes want to suppress those who disagree with us in their thoughts and standings, even by force.
So how can we avoid being deceived or manipulated into falsehood?
It is by always listening to God’s Word, being rooted in it, and remaining in His truth.
By soaking in the love and grace of Christ, being thankful for forgiveness of our sins, and remaining humble before God and people.
By always being connected to His words and never letting go of God’s hand that holds us through His Word.
As spiritual (faithful) habits: we should read the Bible (hearing God’s voice), join in worship (remaining as part of Christ’s body), and continue in prayer (speaking to God).
And as God’s family, we must also encourage and support one another, so that we do not fall under evil influences or be misled by lies/falsehood.
Even though we are weak, the strong and gracious God always teaches us through His Word. Let us walk in obedience to His Word.
In today’s passage, people accused Stephen, saying: “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law,” and “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
But these were false testimonies. What Stephen was preaching was the truth of Lord Jesus Christ and the true love of God that Jesus preached.
Even when surrounded by malicious opposition, the passage ends with, “Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.”
This shows that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has Christ dwells in them can radiate the Christ-like light.
If Christ is at the center of our lives, though we are imperfect, we can radiate the light of Christ, just like angels.
As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
It is through the Spirit of the Lord that we are enabled to reflect the light of Christ, the glory of God.
By believing in Christ and welcoming Him to dwell in us, we can shine His light and reflect His glory.
As God’s creation, what greater honor can there be than to reflect the glory of Christ and the glory of God?
Today, two people will confess their faith in Christ and receive baptism. This is a great joy for our church.
As we welcome our new family of faith, let us grow together as believers who put God’s Word into practice in both our lives and our words, and who shine the light of Christ into the world.
May Christ dwell in us, may His light shine through us, and may the world see that light.
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Kings 10:8
Hymn JBC # 2 Come, Thou almighty King
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Confession of Faith
Scripture Acts 6:8~15
Prayer
Sermon “The wisdom the Spirit gave”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
At the beginning of today’s passage (verse 8), it says: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
In the verses just before today’s passage, seven men, including Stephen, were chosen from among the disciples of Christ for the task of “distribution of food.”
The apostles (who were leaders among the believers) laid hands on the seven and prayed for them.
That prayer was for God’s grace and power to be poured upon them (the seven men), and for God’s guidance in their work.
That prayer was answered. Stephen, filled with God’s grace and power, came to perform works and signs to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stephen was one of those chosen for the task of food distribution.
Yet, in today’s passage, Stephen is portrayed not just in that service role, but as a preacher and evangelist, like the apostles, proclaiming the gospel.
Although he was chosen for the task of distributing food, his gifts and calling were not limited to that work.
Perhaps, while faithfully serving in food distribution, his other gift—proclaiming the Word—was gradually drawn out and put to use.
In any case, the work of evangelism, preaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, was not limited only to leaders such as the apostles.
I believe that in the early church, each disciple was able to speak the Word according to his or her gift.
Last week, a member of our church (who is not the pastor) preached at the worship service.
In our church, we sometimes ask believers who have been trusted and commissioned by the church, even if they are not pastors, to give a message during worship services.
As Christians, whether we are full-time evangelists or not, each of us can preach God's word according to our individual gifts.
And so, we hope to be a church where the various gifts given to each individual can be brought to life and put to good use under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But in today’s passage, there were people who opposed Stephen’s ministry.
They were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria (cities in North Africa) belonging to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Jews once enslaved by Rome but later freed), and others from Cilicia and Asia (today’s Turkey region).
Although Jews, they were originally from outside Israel—likely the “Greek-speaking Jews” mentioned previous passages.
Since they adhered strictly to Jewish teachings and customs, they argued against Stephen’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But verse 10 says, “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”
Those who opposed Stephen probably tried to defeat him by reason and argument.
But words spoken with God’s wisdom and Spirit are stronger than any reasoning or debate—because God’s Word is truth.
Why is it that the words of Jesus in Scripture, and the Bible as a whole, move and touch our hearts so deeply?
Because the words of Scripture were written by people inspired by the Spirit of God, with His wisdom and Spirit—they are God’s true Word.
Not the result of human reasoning or debate, but God’s Word given through wisdom and Spirit—this Word has the power to stir and move our hearts.
It is on this true Word of Scripture that we must build our personal faith, and the faith of our church.
Those who opposed Stephen stirred up others, even the elders and teachers of the law, to seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council).
When we imagine that scene where people were agitated, we are reminded how easily people can be incited, how quickly our emotions and hearts can be manipulated.
We too are fully capable of becoming like those who were incited in today's passage and even persuaded to give false testimony.
This is because we are weak and sinful. We sometimes want to suppress those who disagree with us in their thoughts and standings, even by force.
So how can we avoid being deceived or manipulated into falsehood?
It is by always listening to God’s Word, being rooted in it, and remaining in His truth.
By soaking in the love and grace of Christ, being thankful for forgiveness of our sins, and remaining humble before God and people.
By always being connected to His words and never letting go of God’s hand that holds us through His Word.
As spiritual (faithful) habits: we should read the Bible (hearing God’s voice), join in worship (remaining as part of Christ’s body), and continue in prayer (speaking to God).
And as God’s family, we must also encourage and support one another, so that we do not fall under evil influences or be misled by lies/falsehood.
Even though we are weak, the strong and gracious God always teaches us through His Word. Let us walk in obedience to His Word.
In today’s passage, people accused Stephen, saying: “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law,” and “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
But these were false testimonies. What Stephen was preaching was the truth of Lord Jesus Christ and the true love of God that Jesus preached.
Even when surrounded by malicious opposition, the passage ends with, “Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.”
This shows that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has Christ dwells in them can radiate the Christ-like light.
If Christ is at the center of our lives, though we are imperfect, we can radiate the light of Christ, just like angels.
As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
It is through the Spirit of the Lord that we are enabled to reflect the light of Christ, the glory of God.
By believing in Christ and welcoming Him to dwell in us, we can shine His light and reflect His glory.
As God’s creation, what greater honor can there be than to reflect the glory of Christ and the glory of God?
Today, two people will confess their faith in Christ and receive baptism. This is a great joy for our church.
As we welcome our new family of faith, let us grow together as believers who put God’s Word into practice in both our lives and our words, and who shine the light of Christ into the world.
May Christ dwell in us, may His light shine through us, and may the world see that light.
Friday, September 12, 2025
September 14, 2025 Sunday (Respect for the Aged) Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 90:12
Hymn JBC # 80 Father, we love You
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Scripture 1 Peter 4:7~11
Prayer
Sermon “The end of all things is near”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 336 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
*Sermon script is not available today.
Saturday, September 6, 2025
September 7, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Chronicles 17:26～27
Hymn JBC # 4 Come, Chr4istians, join to sing
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Prayer Time
Testimony
Offering
Scripture Ats 6:1～7
Prayer
Sermon “The Ministry of the Word”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 506 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today's passage, Acts 6:1-7, contains much that challenges and instructs us as Christians and as the Christian church.
This passage clearly depicts the problems that arose within the early Christian church some 2,000 years ago.
The believers in the early Christian church were being persecuted by the Jewish authorities.
The twelve disciples of Christ, known as the apostles, beginning with Peter, began proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God and salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.
And the number of people who believed in them and became disciples of Christ grew.
In response, the Jewish priests, council members, and authorities tried to stop the apostles' missionary work. They imprisoned them, flogged them, and did everything they could to hinder their work.
Yet the apostles did not yield. In the passage immediately preceding today's passage, it is written that even after being flogged and forbidden to preach, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
For the sake of Jesus Christ, they rejoiced that being persecuted for doing God's work meant drawing a little closer to the Lord Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of mankind.
This is a way of life that goes contrary to what this world values. In this life of faith, you find joy in being with Christ even amidst hardship and suffering.
It is also a way of life where, instead of hating or retaliating against those who persecuted them, they prayed even for their persecutors through Christ's love and mercy, desiring their salvation and continuing to proclaim the gospel.
Through the work of the apostles and other disciples, the number of disciples following Christ grew.
Today's passage describes how this increase in disciples led to a certain problem.
It says that as the number of disciples grew, problems arose not only from external persecution but also from within the church itself.
The Christian church is a gathering of people. Since no one is without sin, the church is also a gathering of sinful people.
Wherever people gather, problems, friction, and conflict inevitably arise. The Bible clearly states that this is unavoidable.
In today's passage, we encounter people referred to as “Hellenistic (*Greek-speaking) Jews” and “Hebraic (*Hebrew-speaking) Jews.”
Both were Jews, but the Greek-speaking Jews were those who had grown up outside Israel and had acquired Greek, the common language of the Mediterranean world at that time, as their mother tongue.
Historically, Israel had been ruled by the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, and in Jesus' time, the Roman Empire. This led many Jews to leave Israel and live abroad (or be forced to live abroad).
Among those scattered and living in foreign lands, some returned to the homeland of their ancestors, Israel. These were the Greek-speaking Jews and the people mentioned in today's passage.
On the other hand, the Hebrew-speaking Jews were those born and raised in the land of Israel, whose mother tongue was Hebrew. One might say they were, in a sense, the “pure” Jews.
Though they were both Jews, differences in their primary language, as well as the cultures and environments in which they were raised, apparently led to various problems between them.
Today's passage depicts how the widows (women who had lost their husbands) among the Greek-speaking Jews were being disadvantaged in the daily distribution of food.
It seems likely that the Hebrew-speaking Jews held a position of greater privilege.
Though they were all Jews, their attention may have been focused on their differences—their distinct native languages, cultures, and backgrounds. This likely became the root of the problems.
We too often find ourselves drawn to the differences between us, the parts that clash, rather than seeking common ground. This frequently leads to problems and friction with others.
May we build better relationships by finding common ground and discovering each other's strengths (rather than focusing on differences and condemning them).
However, as depicted in today's passage, voicing complaints is not always a bad thing.
If someone feels dissatisfaction or grievance, or is actually suffering harm, bringing these things to light is necessary for resolving the problem.
If there are dissatisfactions or questions within the church, yet people are unable to voice them and the powerless must continue to endure, that is never a good thing.
While mutual consideration and courtesy are always required, when problems exist, we should not hide them or pretend they don't exist. Instead, we should bring them to light, face them head-on, and aim for resolution. Thus we should strive to be a church that can pray together earnestly.
How did the disciples handle this problem? Let us hear the words spoken by the twelve disciples, the apostles.
Here are verses 2 and 3.
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The twelve apostles first reflected on what duty they themselves should prioritize.
And they came to the conclusion that the duty they must prioritize, the duty entrusted to the apostles by God and the church, was the ministry of the word of God, the ministry of prayer and the Word.
Distributing meals was also an important duty concerning the believers' lives. However, if the apostles devoted themselves to such duties and their most vital work—the ministry of prayer and the word—suffered as a result, it would not be good for the church as a whole.
God has given each of us different gifts. There is no superiority or inferiority among these gifts.
Both the ministry of prayer and the word, and the work of distributing food among the believers' gatherings, are precious works for the kingdom of God, as long as they are grounded in faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us all work to build up the Lord's church, recognizing and respecting the gifts given to one another, acknowledging that we cannot do everything alone, supporting each other, and allowing each other's gifts to be utilized.
In verse 2, it says, “The twelve apostles gathered all the disciples together.” When all the disciples gathered, it was like holding a church assembly in our church today.
Because the matter concerned the whole church and was important, all the disciples were gathered, and a discussion involving everyone took place.
Our church is a Baptist church. In Baptist churches, we place great importance on deciding matters vital to the church through prayer and discussion involving all members.
If we wanted to decide quickly, or make a more effective decision, it might be faster to have just a few capable individuals, or those with specialized knowledge on the matter, decide alone.
Listening to everyone's opinions, discussing them, and reconciling differing views is a process requiring great patience and takes time.
However, through such methods, we ensure that each person's thoughts and feelings are respected as much as possible, and we discover God's will through this process.
The apostles told the gathered disciples, “Choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”
The whole group agreed to this proposal, and the disciples themselves selected seven men who were full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
The apostles prayed and laid their hands on these seven men. They prayed that the chosen seven would be able to faithfully fulfill the task entrusted to them with sincere faith.
I believe it wasn't a case of simply choosing them and then leaving them to it. Rather, the apostles prayed for those chosen, continued to encourage them afterward, and kept praying for them.
When I (Sakai) was appointed pastor of Beppu International Baptist Church, during the installation service, the congregation laid their hands on me and prayed.
That prayer expressed everyone’s desire that the Holy Spirit's guidance would be richly given to me in my pastoral duties—the work of conveying God's Word entrusted to me by the congregation—and that I could devote myself fully to that work.
Through today's passage, I vividly recall that moment when you all laid your hands on me and prayed.
I am reminded anew of the paramount importance of the pastor's primary duties: preaching the Word and prayer. I earnestly ask you all to pray that I may devote myself to proclaiming the Word.
As I mentioned earlier, wherever people gather—even in the church, or rather, precisely because it is the church—problems will always arise. But the absence of problems is not what matters.
What matters is how we face those problems when they arise. It is vital that each member of the church, united in faith, can pray for one another, show mutual consideration, and confront those problems with love.
In today's passage, seven men full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit were chosen to ensure fairness in the distribution of food.
Were they somehow special people, different from us? No. God also richly gives the Holy Spirit and wisdom to us today.
If we ask God to give us the Holy Spirit and wisdom, He will surely grant them to us abundantly.
As disciples of Christ, each of us has a specific duty to fulfill. Let us continually ask Jesus to enable us to be faithful in that duty.
Prayer and the Word—these two are the most vital ministries not only for apostles, or in today's terms pastors and evangelists, but for every Christian and the Christian church.
Prayer is opening our hearts to converse spiritually with God, and the Word is the Bible and the message preached during worship services.
Prayer and the Word are our true spiritual nourishment, and serving through prayer and the Word is the precious duty entrusted solely to the Christian church.
Let us continue to be a Christian church that cherishes these treasures and gifts—prayer and the Word—which are uniquely given to the Christian church, and that devotes itself to this duty, serving the Word.
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Chronicles 17:26～27
Hymn JBC # 4 Come, Chr4istians, join to sing
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Prayer Time
Testimony
Offering
Scripture Ats 6:1～7
Prayer
Sermon “The Ministry of the Word”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 506 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today's passage, Acts 6:1-7, contains much that challenges and instructs us as Christians and as the Christian church.
This passage clearly depicts the problems that arose within the early Christian church some 2,000 years ago.
The believers in the early Christian church were being persecuted by the Jewish authorities.
The twelve disciples of Christ, known as the apostles, beginning with Peter, began proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God and salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.
And the number of people who believed in them and became disciples of Christ grew.
In response, the Jewish priests, council members, and authorities tried to stop the apostles' missionary work. They imprisoned them, flogged them, and did everything they could to hinder their work.
Yet the apostles did not yield. In the passage immediately preceding today's passage, it is written that even after being flogged and forbidden to preach, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
For the sake of Jesus Christ, they rejoiced that being persecuted for doing God's work meant drawing a little closer to the Lord Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of mankind.
This is a way of life that goes contrary to what this world values. In this life of faith, you find joy in being with Christ even amidst hardship and suffering.
It is also a way of life where, instead of hating or retaliating against those who persecuted them, they prayed even for their persecutors through Christ's love and mercy, desiring their salvation and continuing to proclaim the gospel.
Through the work of the apostles and other disciples, the number of disciples following Christ grew.
Today's passage describes how this increase in disciples led to a certain problem.
It says that as the number of disciples grew, problems arose not only from external persecution but also from within the church itself.
The Christian church is a gathering of people. Since no one is without sin, the church is also a gathering of sinful people.
Wherever people gather, problems, friction, and conflict inevitably arise. The Bible clearly states that this is unavoidable.
In today's passage, we encounter people referred to as “Hellenistic (*Greek-speaking) Jews” and “Hebraic (*Hebrew-speaking) Jews.”
Both were Jews, but the Greek-speaking Jews were those who had grown up outside Israel and had acquired Greek, the common language of the Mediterranean world at that time, as their mother tongue.
Historically, Israel had been ruled by the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, and in Jesus' time, the Roman Empire. This led many Jews to leave Israel and live abroad (or be forced to live abroad).
Among those scattered and living in foreign lands, some returned to the homeland of their ancestors, Israel. These were the Greek-speaking Jews and the people mentioned in today's passage.
On the other hand, the Hebrew-speaking Jews were those born and raised in the land of Israel, whose mother tongue was Hebrew. One might say they were, in a sense, the “pure” Jews.
Though they were both Jews, differences in their primary language, as well as the cultures and environments in which they were raised, apparently led to various problems between them.
Today's passage depicts how the widows (women who had lost their husbands) among the Greek-speaking Jews were being disadvantaged in the daily distribution of food.
It seems likely that the Hebrew-speaking Jews held a position of greater privilege.
Though they were all Jews, their attention may have been focused on their differences—their distinct native languages, cultures, and backgrounds. This likely became the root of the problems.
We too often find ourselves drawn to the differences between us, the parts that clash, rather than seeking common ground. This frequently leads to problems and friction with others.
May we build better relationships by finding common ground and discovering each other's strengths (rather than focusing on differences and condemning them).
However, as depicted in today's passage, voicing complaints is not always a bad thing.
If someone feels dissatisfaction or grievance, or is actually suffering harm, bringing these things to light is necessary for resolving the problem.
If there are dissatisfactions or questions within the church, yet people are unable to voice them and the powerless must continue to endure, that is never a good thing.
While mutual consideration and courtesy are always required, when problems exist, we should not hide them or pretend they don't exist. Instead, we should bring them to light, face them head-on, and aim for resolution. Thus we should strive to be a church that can pray together earnestly.
How did the disciples handle this problem? Let us hear the words spoken by the twelve disciples, the apostles.
Here are verses 2 and 3.
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
The twelve apostles first reflected on what duty they themselves should prioritize.
And they came to the conclusion that the duty they must prioritize, the duty entrusted to the apostles by God and the church, was the ministry of the word of God, the ministry of prayer and the Word.
Distributing meals was also an important duty concerning the believers' lives. However, if the apostles devoted themselves to such duties and their most vital work—the ministry of prayer and the word—suffered as a result, it would not be good for the church as a whole.
God has given each of us different gifts. There is no superiority or inferiority among these gifts.
Both the ministry of prayer and the word, and the work of distributing food among the believers' gatherings, are precious works for the kingdom of God, as long as they are grounded in faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us all work to build up the Lord's church, recognizing and respecting the gifts given to one another, acknowledging that we cannot do everything alone, supporting each other, and allowing each other's gifts to be utilized.
In verse 2, it says, “The twelve apostles gathered all the disciples together.” When all the disciples gathered, it was like holding a church assembly in our church today.
Because the matter concerned the whole church and was important, all the disciples were gathered, and a discussion involving everyone took place.
Our church is a Baptist church. In Baptist churches, we place great importance on deciding matters vital to the church through prayer and discussion involving all members.
If we wanted to decide quickly, or make a more effective decision, it might be faster to have just a few capable individuals, or those with specialized knowledge on the matter, decide alone.
Listening to everyone's opinions, discussing them, and reconciling differing views is a process requiring great patience and takes time.
However, through such methods, we ensure that each person's thoughts and feelings are respected as much as possible, and we discover God's will through this process.
The apostles told the gathered disciples, “Choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”
The whole group agreed to this proposal, and the disciples themselves selected seven men who were full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
The apostles prayed and laid their hands on these seven men. They prayed that the chosen seven would be able to faithfully fulfill the task entrusted to them with sincere faith.
I believe it wasn't a case of simply choosing them and then leaving them to it. Rather, the apostles prayed for those chosen, continued to encourage them afterward, and kept praying for them.
When I (Sakai) was appointed pastor of Beppu International Baptist Church, during the installation service, the congregation laid their hands on me and prayed.
That prayer expressed everyone’s desire that the Holy Spirit's guidance would be richly given to me in my pastoral duties—the work of conveying God's Word entrusted to me by the congregation—and that I could devote myself fully to that work.
Through today's passage, I vividly recall that moment when you all laid your hands on me and prayed.
I am reminded anew of the paramount importance of the pastor's primary duties: preaching the Word and prayer. I earnestly ask you all to pray that I may devote myself to proclaiming the Word.
As I mentioned earlier, wherever people gather—even in the church, or rather, precisely because it is the church—problems will always arise. But the absence of problems is not what matters.
What matters is how we face those problems when they arise. It is vital that each member of the church, united in faith, can pray for one another, show mutual consideration, and confront those problems with love.
In today's passage, seven men full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit were chosen to ensure fairness in the distribution of food.
Were they somehow special people, different from us? No. God also richly gives the Holy Spirit and wisdom to us today.
If we ask God to give us the Holy Spirit and wisdom, He will surely grant them to us abundantly.
As disciples of Christ, each of us has a specific duty to fulfill. Let us continually ask Jesus to enable us to be faithful in that duty.
Prayer and the Word—these two are the most vital ministries not only for apostles, or in today's terms pastors and evangelists, but for every Christian and the Christian church.
Prayer is opening our hearts to converse spiritually with God, and the Word is the Bible and the message preached during worship services.
Prayer and the Word are our true spiritual nourishment, and serving through prayer and the Word is the precious duty entrusted solely to the Christian church.
Let us continue to be a Christian church that cherishes these treasures and gifts—prayer and the Word—which are uniquely given to the Christian church, and that devotes itself to this duty, serving the Word.
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